DIRECTOR: TOPP TWINS–UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS-Diva Films. New Zealand Film Commission-Released 2009, theatrical feature documentary about the lives of New Zealand icons, the yodelling, lesbian, twin sister duo; The Topp Twins. This film won the prize for “Best Film” and “Best Music” at the NZ Film & TV Awards. It has also won 18 international prizes including the “Audience Award” for “Best Documentary” at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival among others. It is the most successful documentary in New Zealand history grossing nearly $2 million at the New Zealand box office.
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER:BEING BILLY APPLE–Spacific Films-2007 Television New Zealand.
The life story of Billy Apple, a living work of art, who alongside Andy Warhol, David Hockney and others re-defined what it meant to be an artist.
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: TRY REVOLUTION – Spacific Films – 2006 Television New Zealand/M-Net (South Africa)/SBS (Australia)
How rugby helped to bring down Apartheid in South Africa featuring Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Finalist “Best Documentary” New Zealand Screen Awards 2007
Finalist “Best Documentary”New Zealand Television Awards 2007
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: THE PROMISE – Spacific Films -2005
Television New Zealand / CBC (Canada) / LINK (USA) / TPS (Taiwan)
Feature length documentary following the incredible journey of Leslie Martin, the euthanasia advocate who was convicted of attempting to murder her mother.
Winner “Best Documentary” and “Best Camera” 2006 NZ Screen Awards.
Winner “Special Mention” Feature Length Documentary DocNZ 2005.
Screened “Input 2006” (Taiwan) selected “Best Of Input 2006” (Brazil).
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: HAUNTING DOUGLAS – Spacific Films – 2003
Television New Zealand / ABC (Australia) / YLE (Finland)
Feature length documentary about the life and work of Douglas Wright, one of the world’s greatest dancer/choreographers. Screened NZ Film Festival, San Francisco Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Dance on Camera Festival-New York, Reel Dance Festival-Sydney, Vancouver Film Festival, Commonwealth Film Festival – Manchester, Cinedans- Amsterdam, IMZ – Brighton, Golden Prague, Reel Affirmations- Washington, Festival de Cine de Granada.
Winner “Best Director” and “Best Editor” 2005 NZ Screen Awards.
Winner “Best Documentary” Reel Dance Awards 2004 Sydney
Finalist “Best Documentary Feature” Golden Gate Awards San Francisco FF
Featured in Top Ten of the book “100 Essential New Zealand Films” (Awa Press, 2009)
PRODUCER: THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING – NHNZ – 2001
Discovery Health (International)
A ground breaking docudrama about men’s health issues.
PRODUCER: KIWI BUDDHA – Spacific Films – 2000 National Geographic (International) / TV3 (New Zealand) / Danish Public Broadcasting / RTE (Ireland) / Israel / Korea / France
The story of Rinpoche, the Southern Hemisphere’s first Buddhist High Lama
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: RELATIVE GUILT – Spacific Films – 1999 TV3 (New Zealand)
Guilt by association, the family of a murderer.
Winner “Best Documentary” 1999 Qantas Media Awards.
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: EVERYMAN – “PAPABILE” –BBC Manchester – 1997 BBC / (50 Territories)
A docudrama examining the ancient process of Papal elections.
DIRECTOR: MODERN TIMES-“RELATIVE STRANGERS” –Mosaic Films – 1997 BBC (U.K.)
Exploring the complicated nature of our relationship with in-laws.
DIRECTOR: EYEWITNESS – “POND & RIVER” – Café Productions –1996 BBC / OPB (PBS America) / (over 80 territories)
Part of the Emmy Award winning series combing history, science, and mythology with nature.
DIRECTOR: EVERYMAN-”THE SILENT EXPORT”- BBC Manchester- 1995 BBC (U.K.)
A docudrama exploring the experiences of Irish Women who travel to England for abortions.
DIRECTOR: BIG SCIENCE (X4) -Wall to Wall Productions –1994 BBC (U.K.)
A weekly series exploring the moral, ethical and philosophical implications of modern science.
DIRECTOR: DEADLINE (X6) – Real Life Productions –1994 Channel 4 (U.K.)
A 6 part behind the scenes look at the sometimes bizarre world of a regional news channel.
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: EVERYMAN -“GODS CANDIDATES” –BBC Manchester – 1994
BBC (World wide) various territories.
A documentary about Vatican politics.
DIRECTOR: BRAVE NEW WORLD – Open Media –1994 Channel 4 (U.K.)
A science film investigating the implications of genetic research on reproductive technology.
CO-DIRECTOR/CAMERA: 40 MINUTES-“WILL THEY RING”- MOSAIC PICTURES –
1993 BBC (World wide) various territories.
A documentary about the problems faced by patients waiting for organ transplants.
CO-DIRECTOR/CAMERA: 40 MINUTES – “A Change of Heart” –MOSAIC PICTURES – 1993. BBC (World wide) various territories.
A look at the issues surrounding the use of pig’s organs for human transplantation.
DIRECTOR/CAMERA: INSIDE TRACK ON PARENTING – LWT –1993 – ITV (U.K.)
An informative magazine programme about the trials of parenting.
DIRECTOR/CAMERA: FIRST HAND –First Hand Productions – 1990-92
Television New Zealand. A series documenting the lives of extra-ordinary New Zealanders.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Judge “The Emmy Awards”
The Screen Director’s Guild of New Zealand –Executive Board Member 2002 – 2008
FILM SCHOOL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Auckland – 2001- 2004 – School for Creative and Performing Arts; Lecturer in Documentary
Various guest speaker engagements re: documentary filmmaking, including; Otago University, Unitec, AUT, British Director’s Guild, Royal Television Society (U.K.), British Academy of Film & Television Arts, Norwegian Film School (London visits).
RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL DETAILS:
DRAMA DIRECTOR’S WORKSHOP – The Sundance Institute – USA – 1996
This programme was a one week director’s workshop limited to 30 directors from around the world. It was held at the Sundance Institute home of the Sundance Festival and was run by Joan Darling one of Hollywood’s most successful Actor’s Coach/Directors.
RADIO & TELEVISION ARTS – Ryerson University – Toronto, Canada –1985
This is a three year degree programme with a limited intake of 80 students from across Canada. I left after my first year as I was offered work in the film industry.
UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG COLLEGIATE – High School Diploma – Canada –1982
The Collegiate offers grade 12 within the University environment. I graduated with university entrance level grades
DRAMA STUDIES – The American Academy of Dramatic Arts – USA –1982 Acting programme summer session.
DRAMA STUDIES – The Manitoba School of Performing Arts – Canada –1980-82 Part-time acting classes
